Details

• Netherlands
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• SoSe 2026
• Time spent at the partner university: 5 months
• Contact: Login to see contact information

1. Preparation

Preparing for an exchange semester can be quite stressful and chaotic, especially when you have to find accommodation on your own without knowing anyone at the host university. The best thing you can do is simply try to find someone who has already studied there and ask them your questions. In most cases, the process is not as complicated as it initially seems, even though it can feel quite overwhelming at first. Regarding my own preparation, most of the documents you have to provide are fairly self-explanatory, such as proof of English proficiency. However, if any questions come up during the process, do not hesitate to contact the exchange department at WU or the host university. Besides the “official” requirements, the preparations differ from person to person and largely depend on how you want to spend your exchange semester. The most important advice I can give you is to save enough money beforehand. This is not only because the Netherlands are unreasonably expensive, but also because you will meet many great people from all around the world. Naturally, you will probably want to attend lots of events, go out together and travel during your exchange. Of course, it is also important to familiarise yourself with Dutch culture and mentality. However, I think the course provided by WU is sufficient, considering that the only Dutch people I met during my five-month stay were the bartenders at the student bar. I chose to travel to the host university by train because of the green travel bonus, obviously. However, if you do not mind receiving a slightly lower grant and are not particularly enthusiastic about train travel, I would honestly recommend booking a flight instead.

2. Accommodation

Even though everyone told me that finding accommodation in the Netherlands would be a nightmare, the process was actually quite straightforward for me. In general, you can either search for accommodation on the private market or apply for one of the housing options listed on the Erasmus University website. I chose the second option because it seemed much more convenient and trustworthy than searching on the private market. However, if you find a private offer and are unsure whether it is legitimate, you can always send it to the Exchange Team at RSM. They can help you check whether the offer appears reliable. Should you also decide to try your luck with accommodation offered through the Erasmus University website, I recommend using one of the most important skills you develop as a WU student: checking the atomic clock. Many of the available options operate on a first-come, first-served basis, except for a few residences where overseas exchange students are given priority. Therefore, you need to be quick. For a typical student housing experience, SSH is probably the best option. It is one of the cheapest choices and still offers fairly decent accommodation. If you prefer something more comfortable and cleaner, you might want to consider The Social Hub, although it is also one of the most expensive options. For shared apartments or houses, you will usually have to search on the private market or choose another offer listed on the university website. I managed to get a room in a shared house on Tamboerstraat, which was managed by HouseHunting. I did not know my two housemates beforehand—one was Australian and the other Brazilian—which actually turned out to be a great experience. Since none of us knew many people at the beginning, we had to integrate and explore the city together, which made it much easier to meet new people. Tamboerstraat is located in Crooswijk, which, to be honest, is not considered the safest area. However, the location itself is quite convenient. By bike, of course, it takes around 15 minutes to reach both the city centre and the university. There are also several lakes nearby, which are great for parties, relaxing or going for a run. Overall, I really enjoyed living in a shared house and would definitely recommend the experience. However, based on my personal experience, I would strongly advise being careful when dealing with the landlord and property manager HouseHunting. Almost none of my interactions with them went smoothly, and that is honestly not an exaggeration. From signing the contract to the check-in and final check-out, many things were delayed, unnecessarily complicated or poorly organised. Communication was often difficult, and I sometimes felt that the information provided was unreliable or that additional costs were not explained transparently. Considering the amount of money they charged, the overall service was extremely disappointing. Therefore, my most important advice is to pay close attention to the landlord or agency managing the property. Ideally, try to secure accommodation offered directly through the university. It is usually more reliable, and you will also have the opportunity to meet many other students from all around the world, which is one of the most enjoyable parts of an exchange semester.

3. Academic life at host university

The grading system at RSM is quite different from the one at WU. Most exams are held in a multiple-choice format and use the Erasmus University-specific “guessing factor,” which means that you usually need to score more than 65% to pass. Combined with the Dutch grading system, which ranges from 0.0 to 10.0, with 10 being the highest possible grade, this makes the exams significantly more challenging than those at WU. All exams are also taken digitally on a laptop on campus. Some parts of the Erasmus University campus are very modern and comparable to the WU campus, while other buildings are noticeably older. The academic culture is generally less strict than at WU. Mandatory attendance is quite rare, and professors are usually more relaxed. Nevertheless, some courses require you to write essays or give presentations, and these assignments can be graded very strictly. If your goal is to achieve a grade above 8.5, you will need to invest a lot of time and effort, and even then, it can be very difficult. Most courses are only worth four or five ECTS credits, which means that you may have to take around three or four exams during each exam week. The academic year is divided into five blocks, with an exam week at the end of each block. In that regard, the structure is somewhat comparable to the academic year at WU. I can particularly recommend the AI courses offered by RSM. WU does not offer many comparable courses, and the content is very up to date, relevant and interesting.

5. Every day life in the host country

Daily life in Rotterdam is, in many ways, more convenient than in Vienna. Even though public transport is very reliable and usually on time, I would still recommend renting a Swapfiets bike. As a student, you can get a very good discount on a six-month subscription, which can save you a lot of money. In addition, travelling by bike is often faster than using public transport. In general, your bike quickly becomes your best friend in the Netherlands. The safety situation in Rotterdam strongly depends on the area you live in. I stayed in the north, in Crooswijk, which is not considered the best neighbourhood. However, the location is very convenient because it is situated between the university, the city centre and several lakes. As a student, I would recommend avoiding some areas in the south, especially at night. If you enjoy clubbing, Rotterdam is a great city for an exchange semester, as there are many student parties every week. You can also attend plenty of raves in and around Rotterdam, as well as in nearby cities such as Amsterdam, Breda, Tilburg or even Brussels. Since the Netherlands is a relatively small country, it is easy to organise day trips. You can visit the tulip fields, celebrate King’s Day in Amsterdam, go on a bike tour with friends or travel to The Hague to spend a day by the sea. Rotterdam itself also offers a wide range of leisure activities. However, after around four months, you will probably have tried most of them at least once. Therefore, I would recommend exploring as much of the Netherlands and the neighbouring countries as possible. Erasmus University also has several student associations that organise affordable weekend trips to different destinations, such as Nice. They also host many other events, including paintball, campus runs, student parties and more. I would definitely recommend following these associations on social media to stay updated about upcoming events and to meet new people. Another advantage of the Erasmus University campus is the on-site gym, which gives you the opportunity to work out between or after classes. If you are not particularly interested in going to the gym, there are also many university sports clubs covering almost every type of sport. In general, I would recommend following as many student associations and clubs as possible on social media if you want to make the most of your exchange semester. Overall, you definitely will not get bored in Rotterdam, especially if you find a good group of friends who are always willing to join you on a spontaneous side quest.

6. Testimonial

My exchange semester in Rotterdam was an unforgettable experience filled with new friendships, spontaneous trips and countless side quests. Living in a shared house with international students made it easy to meet people from all over the world and quickly feel at home. I especially enjoyed exploring the Netherlands by bike, attending student events and discovering new places together with friends. What made the exchange truly special was the combination of personal growth, international friendships and experiences I would never have had at home.